witch hazel
noun
witch ha·zel
ˈwich-ˌhā-zəl 
1
: any of a genus (Hamamelis of the family Hamamelidaceae, the witch-hazel family) of shrubs or small trees with slender-petaled usually yellow flowers borne in late fall or early spring
especially
: one (H. virginiana) of eastern North America that blooms in the fall
2
: an alcoholic solution of a distillate of the bark of a witch hazel (H. virginiana) used as a soothing and mildly astringent lotion
Examples of witch hazel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some of these contain hydrocortisone, witch hazel, zinc oxide or lidocaine, which can help reduce itching and swelling.
—
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Mistletoe, impatience, wood sorrel, and witch hazel are all examples of plants that can shoot their seeds.
—Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Topical Anti-Itch Treatments Over-the-counter ointments and creams contain hydrocortisone, witch hazel, or a numbing medicine.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Sep. 2025
This blemish-banishing formula includes witch hazel, algae extract, and grape seed extract, plus vitamin E to keep pores looking tight, rein in excess sebum, and shield skin from free radicals.
—Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for witch hazel
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Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Mistletoe, impatience, wood sorrel, and witch hazel are all examples of plants that can shoot their seeds.
—Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
Topical Anti-Itch Treatments Over-the-counter ointments and creams contain hydrocortisone, witch hazel, or a numbing medicine.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Sep. 2025
This blemish-banishing formula includes witch hazel, algae extract, and grape seed extract, plus vitamin E to keep pores looking tight, rein in excess sebum, and shield skin from free radicals.
—Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for witch hazel
Cite this Entry
“Witch hazel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witch%20hazel. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
witch hazel
noun
witch ha·zel
ˈwich-ˌhā-zəl
1
: any of a genus of shrubs or small trees that produce usually yellow flowers with very thin petals in late fall or early spring
especially
: one of eastern North America that blooms in the fall
2
: a soothing alcoholic lotion made from the bark of the witch hazel
Etymology
from witch, an old name for any of several trees with branches that bend easily, from Old English wice (same meaning)
Medical Definition
witch hazel
noun
witch ha·zel
ˈwich-ˌhā-zəl
1
: any small tree or shrub of the genus Hamamelis
especially
: one (Hamamelis virginiana) of eastern North America that blooms in the fall
2
: an alcoholic solution of a distillate of the bark of a witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) used as a soothing and mildly astringent lotion
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